Democracy can hinge on a single decision. Proposition 50 is that decision for California

This Is No Time To Be Hesitant

The what (California):
On November 4, 2025, Californians will vote on Proposition 50, the Use of Legislative Congressional Redistricting Map Amendment. This measure temporarily sets aside maps drawn by California’s independent citizens redistricting commission and uses those drawn by the State Legislature. If passed, the new map, expected to favor Democrats, would only apply to the 2026, 2028, and 2030 elections. After the 2030 Census, the independent commission would again take over map-drawing duties.

The why (Texas):
Meanwhile, in Texas, at Trump’s “urging” (aka demand), and with Governor Abbott’s full support, the Republican-controlled Legislature has already approved a new congressional redistricting plan. Unlike California, Texas law does not require voter approval. The new map doesn’t change the state’s total of 38 U.S. House seats but redraws the lines to convert five Democratic-leaning districts into Republican-leaning ones.

What this means nationally:
If both maps survive legal challenges and take effect, the two efforts could effectively cancel each other out: Texas Republicans gaining 5 seats, California Democrats gaining 5 seats. On paper, the balance of power in Congress would remain about the same, but because of tRump and Abbott, through aggressive manipulation of district lines rather than fair representation.

Costs:
For California, current estimates put the price tag of the November 4th special election at $230–235 million; final figures haven’t been released. In contrast, Texas has not provided any cost details. Because Texans don’t get to vote on their Legislature’s new map, there are no special election costs, but taxpayers still bear the hidden costs of legislative sessions and inevitable court challenges.

The stakes:
Texas has already redrawn its districts. California must pass Proposition 50 if it wants to offset Texas’s partisan gerrymander. If Proposition 50 succeeds, Democrats could pick up five seats to counter the five seats Republicans are expected to gain in Texas. In that way, California’s move would cancel out Texas’s manipulation, preventing Republicans from locking in an artificial advantage in Congress and ensuring Republican domination through redistricting alone.

AT A GLANCE:

California (Proposition 50, Nov. 4, 2025)

· Who decides? Voters in a statewide special election

· Estimated cost: $230–235 million

· Goal: Replace independent commission maps with Legislature-drawn maps (favors Democrats)

· Effect: Could flip 5 congressional seats to Democrats for 2026–2030 elections

Texas (Legislature, Aug. 2025)

· Who decides? State Legislature & Governor (no voter approval)

· Estimated cost: Not released (absorbed into legislative budgets; taxpayers pay for legal fights)

· Goal: Mid-decade redraw ordered by GOP leadership (favors Republicans)

· Effect: Redraws 5 Democratic-leaning districts to favor Republicans; overall seats remain 38

National Impact

· Texas: +5 Republican seats

· California (if Prop 50 passes): +5 Democratic seats

· Net effect: Cancel each other out — balance in Congress stays the same, but only through tRump and Abbott’s aggressive manipulation of district maps.

Californians, please vote YES ON PROP. 50. If California can’t match Texas Congressional seat-for-seat, we are facing republican rule possibly for decades. That is unthinkable.